Dr. Egemen MANCI is a distinguished sports scientist, elite basketball coach, and a pioneer in the field of Esports performance in Turkey. Born in Izmir in 1990, his career is defined by a unique synergy between high-level athletic competition and rigorous scientific inquiry.
Academic Background & Research
Dr. Mancı earned his undergraduate degree with honors from Ege University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, specializing in Basketball Coaching in 2012. He furthered his academic pursuit at Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, where he obtained both his Master’s and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology (2022). My journey is defined by a relentless pursuit of performance first as an athlete on the basketball court, and now as a scientist investigating the complexities of the human brain and body.
During his doctoral studies, he conducted groundbreaking research focusing on:
- Exercise Physiology & Cognitive Performance
- Brain Hemodynamics (Prefrontal Cortex)
- Neuroimaging Techniques in Athletes
- Body Composition & Performance Analytics
My Path
My journey began at age seven with a basketball in my hand. For 15 years, I competed in professional and university leagues, learning the values of discipline, teamwork, and physical limits. Driven by a desire to understand the “how” behind the game, I started my coaching career at 17, eventually graduating with honors from Ege University as a specialized basketball coach.
After my undergraduate studies, I chose to bridge the gap between elite coaching and science. While serving as an Assistant Coach in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League (TKBL), I completed my Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at Dokuz Eylül University. This period was pivotal, as I applied physiological theories directly to top-tier professional athletes.
In 2016, I embarked on my doctoral journey at the Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine. My focus shifted toward the “command center” of performance: the brain. As a Research Assistant, I conducted extensive studies on Prefrontal Cortex Hemodynamics and cognitive performance using advanced neuroimaging. In 2022, I officially earned my Ph.D., cementing my expertise in the physiological and neurological markers of human performance.
Following my doctoral success, my academic career advanced rapidly; I was appointed as an Assistant Professor in 2023 and earned the title of Associate Professor in 2024. Today, I am expanding the boundaries of exercise physiology into the digital arena. I apply my research to the world of competitive gaming (MOBA/FPS), optimizing the cognitive longevity and physiological health of e-athletes, proving that the principles of elite performance remain constant whether on a court or behind a screen.
Academic Adventure
2017-2023 Served as a Research Assistant at Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, focusing on doctoral research and laboratory clinicals.
2023: Assistant Professor in İzmir Demokrasi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences
2024 – Present: Associate Professor in İzmir Demokrasi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences
Attained the rank of Associate Professor, continuing to spearhead innovative research at the intersection of brain hemodynamics, elite athletic performance, and Esports.
